-Carnival Shoots Down Baseball Team's High Hopes

Pitcher Jose Bias

by Omar Emmanuel

Kean’s IAA varsity baseball team had a rough start to the season with two consecutive losses against Central and then Complex High School. Kean’s coach, monitor Lloyd Jackson, told the team, “ You guys have a lot of talent and need to put it to use instead of being known as the lesser school.”

Senior Shamoi “Bean” Samuel and Rakim “RAKIM!” Fahie both agreed to Jackson’s speech and wanted to go out with a bang since it was their last year as players on the school’s baseball team. Kean came back from the losing streak with three straight wins, defeating the CAHS two times and Central High once.

Coach Kyle and the team greets Steven after his solo home run.

“We have a strong well balanced lineup,” said Jackson as they won game one of two in the tournament held in St. Croix.

Kean then had a 3-3 record and was in first place with CAHS right behind. When the two St.Thomas teams returned to the island, they were scheduled to play two more games to determine the district champion who would move on to play St. Croix’s Complex team for the territorial championship.

Kean lost the first game, which put CAHS ahead. Not knowing that would be their last game, Kean’s players were expecting to beat CAHS in the game scheduled for Wednesday February 29, but Jackson had some bad news for them.

League director Steve Parris said the league had to be brought to an end because the Lionel Roberts Stadium had to be prepared for carnival. As a result, CAHS was crowned district champs and later went on to beat Complex in a two game series held at Kirwin Terrace Ballpark.

Kean finished the season going 3-5. Jackson said he was proud of the major improvement they had as a team since the previous season, and he’s is looking forward for next year’s season.